What a great start to the 2013/14 season for the GROGS! Stand-in Chairman Alasdair Graham informed the gathering that the 94 rugby enthusiasts present was a record number for a September meeting. Clearly, the chance of hearing former Scotland and British & Irish Lions stand off, John Rutherford, was a big attraction. Alasdair told the members that GROGS Chairman Roy Dingwall was receiving treatment for an illness and was unable to attend. The Meeting, loudly and unanimously, voiced its support for Roy and wished him well for a speedy return to GROGS attendance. If anyone was expecting a to hear a dour “Borders style” presentation of rugby tales from John, they would have been disappointed. He regaled us with a host of humorous stories, all related to his career, both as player and coach, in rugby at the highest level (who will easily forget the Selkirk Kiwi prop “war years” story?). Delivered in an easy, often self-deprecating style, he illustrated why he has always been perceived as one of rugby’s ‘nice guys’. It wasn’t all done for laughs, though. The former internationalist, famous for his record breaking halfback partnership with Roy Laidlaw, was forthright in his vision for the future of Scottish rugby. His view that there is a place for the return of District rugby, with players proceeding to higher levels of representative rugby through merit, received strong support from the room. John left an appreciative audience with a bottle of the much sought after GROGS whisky, a GROGS tie and a warm invitation to return any time.